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How to deal with aquaplaning

By Dan BezerTyre Advice28th November 2018

Aquaplaning is one of the biggest dangers that drivers face and it can be a frightening experience to suddenly feel the steering go light and unresponsive.

It is caused by the tyre being unable to clear away water from the tread fast enough so that a layer forms between it and the road surface, acting like a wedge. This lifts the tyre off the road so the driver has no way of steering or braking and the vehicle essentially becomes an unguided boat. Here Continental has issued the following advice on how to spot the warning signs and what to do if it does happen to you.  

There are clear warning signals when aquaplaning threatens, apart from your windshield wipers running at top speed, such as the loud noise of water striking the underfloor and the steering becoming increasingly spongy and feeling a bit light.

If you do encounter aquaplaning, here’s what to do:

    • Keep both hands on the steering wheel.
    • Do not attempt to steer or brake because this can cause a skid.
    • Take your foot off the accelerator and reduce speed gradually but without braking.
    • Leave a bigger gap to the vehicle in front.
    • Depress the clutch or shift into neutral and wait for your speed to drop to a level at which the tyres have contact with the road again.

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